Best Italian in London
Il Bordello is my favourite Italian restaurant of all time and this is coming from someone who has been to Italy. A lot. Don't be put off by the name by the way, which is Italian for "the brothel". Hmmm...
What do I love about Il Bordello? The authenticity and quality of the food, the value for money and the buzzing atmosphere. The (sometimes moody) Italian waiters aren't too bad either! They have two sittings each night, one at 7pm and the other at 9pm.
Starters...are LARGE! Two dishes are often sufficient to share - between five adults! Well, that's if you want to fit in the rest of the meal.
Bruscetta and Garlic Pizza
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Main courses are difficult to choose from because everything is so delicious. The best thing is that if you're torn between pasta and any of the mains, why choose when you have the option of ordering the pasta in half portions so you can order it as a side dish - see below. Amazing!
Tagliata di Manzo con Rucola (huge piece of sliced sirloin steak with rosemary, garlic, extra virgin olive oil and rocket) with a side of Spaghetti Puttanesca (tomato sauce with capers, anchovies, garlic, chillies and olives)
Meal for three. Main picture: Calamari Fritti with salad with a side of Orecchiette alla Barrese (artichoke, aubergine, mincemeat and tomato)
Desserts. Now, I would post a picture of the amazing desserts that they serve at Il Bordello but the reason I can't is, er, because in the past we have pretty much inhaled them as soon as they've arrived. Photos have always been an after thought. Much like the feeling of guilt when you've done something you shouldn't have but thoroughly enjoyed it while you did. Anyway, I recommend you try, in order of preference, the Tiramisu (coffee and marsala wine-soaked sponge finger biscuits, layered with whipped cream and mascarpone and finished with chocolate sauce), the Panna Cotta (like smooth, creamy jelly) or the Profiteroles (little puffs of choux pastry filled with cream and topped with chocolatey mousse).
Coffees. Don't stop at dessert - if you still have room (and if not, do it anyway), a great way to nearly finish off the meal is with a liqueur coffee - Baileys or Amaretto.
Drinks! The red and white Vino della Casa (house wines) are excellent but if you want a beer, you should go for the Peroni. Now, note when I said coffee I mentioned "nearly finish". To finally finish, try the Limoncello - a little shot of cold Italian lemony liqueur.
It's always wise to book a table at Il Bordello in advance but in the event that you don't and can't get a table, ask about their sister restaurant, La Figa (Italian for, ehem, according to Google Translate, "her pussy" - meow?). It's just down the road in Limehouse and has exactly the same menu and clearly in keeping with the same theme but with quite a different feel - it's in a bigger space so less of the buzz.
Il Bordello, 81 Wapping High St City of London E1W 2YN, Tel: 020 7481 9950
La Figa, The Mosaic, 45 Narrow Street, London, E14 8DN, Tel: 020 7790 0077
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